Aggies visit Auburn hoping to keep playoff hopes alive

AUBURN, Ala. — Texas A&M’s path to remain in playoff contention doesn’t seem all that treacherous, but coach Jimbo Fisher knows better.

The fifth-ranked Aggies (6-1, No. 5 CFP rankings) have had plenty of troubles against Auburn the past few seasons heading into today’s meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium. No matter that the Tigers (5-3) haven’t come close to pulling an upset in two previous games against Top 5 teams, including last week’s 42-13 shellacking by No. 1 Alabama.

But Auburn has won the past three meetings and the last two have come by a total of 12 points. Fisher thinks his team is well-prepared if this turns into another close one, figuring if you can’t win close games in the SEC “you are in trouble.”

“That is just what this

league is about,” he said. “More like pro football than any league in college football. I believe in our team 100% that way for sure.”

The onus is also on Auburn to prove it can compete with a Top 5 team, having lost to then-No. 4 Georgia 27-6 in addition to the lopsided Iron Bowl.

The Tigers at least get a swift shot at redemption this time.

“We’ve got to go out there and show that, hey last week wasn’t us,” Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooten said. That “we belong with the big dogs, and not just in the SEC but all of college football. It’s just a tremendous opportunity to go against a high ranking team again.”

Closing Stretch

Winning out doesn’t guarantee Texas A&M of a playoff spot, especially with only a longshot chance at usurping Alabama in the SEC West.

But Auburn is the only team in the Aggies’ closing stretch that has a winning record, with Tennessee and Mississippi set to visit College Station in the coming weeks.